Alcohol Awareness Month 2023: “Connecting the Dots: Opportunities for Recovery”

To start, take a moment to reflect on the role alcohol plays in your life and its impact on your health and well-being. Drinking alcohol is a very regular part of our society. We use it to socialize, relax, and celebrate. And if you don’t, it can feel like you’re the odd one out.

But it’s not all fun and games. For some, drinking comes with some serious negative consequences. Alcohol significantly impacts our lives, both short- and long-term. And excessive amounts can lead to a range of health issues.

Each April, Alcohol Awareness Month takes place to raise awareness about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, promote responsible drinking habits, and reduce the stigma around alcohol use disorders.

What is alcohol awareness month?

Alcohol Awareness Month is an annual campaign initially sponsored in 1987 by the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence (NCADD) and takes place every year in April.

This year’s theme is “Connecting the Dots: Opportunities for Recovery.”

One of the crucial components of Alcohol Awareness Month is educating young people about the hazards of alcohol consumption and its harmful effects. In addition, the campaign is a good time for everyone to reflect on personal drinking habits and consider the role that alcohol plays in our lives.

Alcohol consumption is a complex issue that affects people from all walks of life. Alcohol Awareness Month encourages communities to focus on the effects alcohol has on their residents and implement strategies to help those who need it.

Opportunities for Recovery

If you’re struggling with alcohol, you might think now isn’t the “right” time to seek help, but you’re wrong! Because there is no “right” time, now is perfect for getting help and beginning your recovery journey.

Recovery is a personal experience. Many people go a more traditional route by participating in treatment or attending local Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings; because they think this is their only option.

But that’s not the case! Over time, our society has become more open to discussing alcohol and how it impacts our lives. And as technology evolves, more options are available to support those needing help.

If you’re considering stopping drinking for good, it’s best to consult your healthcare provider before taking any steps. Quitting drinking without medical support or going “cold turkey” can be dangerous and even deadly.

If you’re unsure where to start, call Recovery Unplugged, and we can help you. Our staff is available 24/7 and are only a phone call away. Call us at 1 (855) 954-1194. We’ll walk you through a safe plan for you to get better.

Community-based events and initiatives

Events and other initiatives in your community can be valuable resources to seek support for your struggle with alcohol. They bring together people with similar experiences and goals and build a supportive network to help people in recovery stay motivated, committed, and connected.

Provide social support

The feeling of belonging and support is essential for your recovery journey. Attending events allows you to connect with others and build support systems.

Promote healthy activities

Quitting drinking is hard, and many people don’t know what to do without drinking. Community-based events can have a variety of focuses: exercise, mindfulness, and creative expression, to name a few. Not only do these activities promote overall physical and mental health, but they keep you busy too!

Provide education and resources

Many of these events offer training and education and share community resources that can be particularly helpful for those new to recovery seeking information about programs, options, and support groups.

Create a sense of accountability

Attending events and other community initiatives holds you accountable for your sobriety goals, which can be especially important for those struggling with motivation or staying sober.

Modern sobriety opportunities

Many people in traditional treatment lack support as they return to their daily lives. Some choose not to go the traditional recovery route, and that’s OK too! Thanks to technology, we’re all connected!

We can access each other with a few clicks or taps. This access has dramatically improved the variety of ways that you can get recovery support.

Social Media

Almost everyone uses social media, making finding support relatively easy. Type keywords into the search bar on your preferred platform. Some examples to try are sobriety, recovery, alcohol-free, etc.

Facebook has many sober support groups that provide connection and accountability. Someone with personal or professional recovery experience usually moderates these groups. It’s a safe space to share sober wins and get feedback, encouragement, and support when needed.

Instagram is another great social media platform to find recovery support. You can find content related to sobriety, and mental health, including motivation, inspirational quotes, and personal stories of people who have overcome addiction.

Recovery books, blogs, and podcasts

Online writing, recovery books, or “Quit-Lit,” and podcasts are great resources for recovery. Many of these are created by people who have quit drinking themselves, and they can provide valuable insights and support because they “get it.”

Quit-Lit worth checking out:

• This Naked Mind by Annie Grace
• Punch Me Up to the Gods: A Memoir by Brian Broome
• The Sober Lush by Amanda Ward and Jardine Libaire
• Dry by Augusten Burroughs
• Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget by Sarah Hepola
• God and Starbucks: An NBA Superstar’s Journey Through Addiction and Recovery by Vin Baker
• We Are The Luckiest by Laura McKowen
• I’m Black and I’m Sober: The Timeless Story Of A Woman’s Journey Back To Sanity by Chaney Allen

Sober podcasts you should try:

• Sober Powered
  “In the Sober Powered Podcast, Gill uses science, psychology, and compassion to help you understand why you struggle to moderate, why it’s so hard to quit drinking, and how to develop the coping skills you need to stay sober.”
  Click here to listen to Sober Powered on Spotify.
• The Addicted Mind Podcast
  “The Addicted Mind Podcast is about understanding addiction from a research and treatment perspective. We will dive into what drives the addictive process, explore the latest research on addiction, and talk about the latest addiction treatment options. We will also explore what recovery from addiction looks like from a variety of different people.”
  Click here to listen to The Addicted Mind Podcast on Spotify.
• The Hello Someday Podcast
  “Each week host Casey Davidson, an ex-red wine girl turned sober coach, will bring you the tools, lessons and conversations you need to navigate our drinking-obsessed culture without a buzz.”
  Click here to listen to The Hello Someday Podcast on Spotify.
• One For The Road
  “Join Sobriety Coach and Speaker David Wilson (aka SoberDave) as he chats to some amazing guests, all of whom have made the decision to look at their relationship with alcohol and take steps towards a positive change.”
  Click here to listen to One For The Road on Spotify.

Traditional treatment programs

You may be most familiar with traditional recovery programs, as they are often depicted in TV and movies. Traditional recovery programs like rehabilitation centers and treatment facilities are great for people who need a high level of support and a more intense structure.

At Recovery Unplugged, our individualized approach will help you decide what is best, depending on the severity of your symptoms and lifestyle habits.

Many people with alcohol use disorder find a traditional treatment program, including detoxification and time spent at a rehabilitation center, to be effective.

Detoxification and withdrawal management

Recovery Unplugged uses an individualized approach to manage physical and behavioral symptoms and help you to safely and comfortably rid your body of alcohol-related toxins. Doing so will allow you to shift your focus to your recovery.

Residential and outpatient treatment

A residential treatment program provides people with in-person care at a facility where they are closely monitored and have a high level of support from staff and other individuals in the program.

Outpatient programs are less intense but still have a high level of support. The programs typically included in outpatient treatment are group counseling, individual behavioral therapy, and aftercare.

In addition, Recovery Unplugged has an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for individuals who need more structure but can return home daily. IOP is also suited for those who need help with medication-assisted treatment and other addiction-related medical care.

Recovery Unplugged provides a continuum of care throughout your treatment journey, and in-person and virtual outpatient treatment options are available.

Mental health therapy

Therapy is a significant part of care at Recovery Unplugged. We know that healing is more than just stopping your substance use; therapy is a way to get to the root of the issue and learn new tools and coping mechanisms for when you leave treatment.

Our in-person and virtual therapies cater to your specific needs. Experienced therapists provide various treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

Our virtual Mental Health Treatment program is excellent for those seeking a more intense therapy plan. We offer comprehensive care for a full range of mental health issues.

Because of the high correlation between addiction and mental illnesses, we provide dual-diagnosis treatment at all our facilities and online treatment programs.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Our facilities offer Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) to help you taper off drugs or alcohol and lessen your cravings.

Using MAT combined with behavioral therapy has proven effective when treating substance use disorder (SUD).

Let the month of April be a reminder to recognize how alcohol shows up in your life. As we discussed, there are numerous opportunities for recovery and support during Alcohol Awareness Month and beyond.

By taking action and seeking help, you can begin your sober journey toward a happier and healthier life. Remember, recovery is a process and not a quick fix. But with the right support and proper resources, you can change your life in ways you never imagined.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, considering quitting drinking, or would like more information, call us at 1 (855) 975-1757. We’re ready to help you heal.